Prairie Pasque Nominees 2011-2012

WINNER!

Anything but Typical

Baskin, Nora

Jason Blake is an autistic 12-year-old living in a neurotypical world. Most days it's just a matter of time before something goes wrong. But Jason finds a glimmer of understanding when he comes across PhoenixBird, who posts stories to the same online site as he does. Jason can be himself when he writes and he thinks that PhoenixBird — her name is Rebecca — could be his first real friend. But as desperate as Jason is to met her, he's terrified that if they do meet, Rebecca will only see his autism and not who Jason really is. The depiction of an autistic boy's struggles — and a story for anyone who has ever worried about fitting in.

Grade Level: 4-5Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

Redwoods

Chin, Jason

A subway trip is transformed when a young boy happens upon a book about redwood forests. As he reads the information unfolds, and with each new bit of knowledge, he travels — all the way to California to climb into the Redwood canopy. Crammed with interesting and accurate information about these great natural wonders, Jason Chin's first book is innovative nonfiction set within a picture storybook.

Grade Level: 3Publisher: Roaring Brook Press

Tricking the Tallyman

Davies, Jacqueline

Are kids interested in learning about the very first American census? Probably not. Do young readers clamor for stories set in the very, very olden days of the late 18th century? Uh, not really. But kids do like nutty cat-and-mouse trickery, wacky slapstick, and animals disguised as people. Tricking the Tallyman accomplishes the tricky task of showing kids the way the 1790 census was tabulated (or tallied) and how the country's new citizens came to understand (after much misunderstanding) how it worked to help them and the country. Young readers will enjoy this story so much they might not even notice they've learned a thing or two about how this country works.

Grade Level: 3Publisher: Random House Children's Books

The Secret Science Alliance & the Copycat Crook

Davis, Eleanor

Super-smart Julian Calendar thinks starting junior high at a new school will mean he can shed his nerdy image - but then he meets Ben and Greta, two secret scientists like himself! The three form a secret club, complete with a high-tech lair. There, they can work to their hearts content on projects like the Stink-O-Meter, the Kablovsky Copter, and the Nightsneak Goggles. All that tinkering comes in handy when the trio discovers an evil scientist's dastardly plan to rob a museum. Can three inventors, armed with their wacky creations, hope to defeat this criminal mastermind?

Grade Level: 3-5Publisher: Bloomsbury USA

Fourteen Cows for America

Deedy, Carmen Agra

In June of 2002, a very unusual ceremony begins in a far-flung village in western Kenya. An American diplomat, there to accept a gift to be bestowed on the American people, is surrounded by hundreds of Maasai people. The gift is unsought, unexpected, and extraordinary. A mere nine months have passed since the September 11 attacks; tears flow freely from American and Maasai as these legendary warriors offer their gift to a grieving people half a world away. Word of the gift will travel news wires around the globe. For a heartsick nation, the gift of fourteen cows emerges from the choking dust and darkness as a soft light of hope-and friendship. Storyteller Carmen Agra Deedy tells this story of generosity that crosses boundaries, nations, and cultures. An afterword by Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah-the Maasai warrior at the center of the story-provides additional information about his tribe and their generous actions.

Grade Level: 3-5Publisher: Peachtree Publishers, Ltd.

Imogene's Last Stand

Fleming, Candace

Meet Imogene, a plucky heroine with a passion for history. As a baby, Imogene's first words were "Four score and seven years ago." In preschool, she fingerpainted a map of the Oregon Trail. So it's not surprising that when the mayor wants to tear down the long-neglected Liddleton Historical Society to make room for a shoelace factory, Imogene is desperate to convince the town how important its history is. But even though she rides through the streets in her Paul Revere costume shouting, "The bulldozers are coming, the bulldozers are coming!" the townspeople won't budge. What's a history-loving kid to do?

The Prairie Bud, Prairie Bloom & Prairie Pasque Children's Book Awards are sponsored by the South Dakota Library Association . Prairie Bud winners are determined by South Dakota kindergarten, first and second grade students. Prairie Pasque winners are determined by South Dakota third, fourth, and fifth grade students. Students are encouraged to read and vote for their one favorite book of the year from the masterlists of titles. The books receiving the most votes from the students win the awards. A committee of educators and librarians select the books nominated for the awards.